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ROBERT E. LEE 

A Story 

AND 

A Play 



LITTLE FOLKS' PLAYS 
OF AMERICAN HEROES 

GEORGE WASHINGTON 
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN 
ABRAHAM LINCOLN 
ULYSSES S. GRANT 
ROBERT E. LEE 
JOHN JOSEPH PERSHING 
MAKERS OF AMERICA 



Little Folks' Plays of American Heroes 

ROBERT E. LEE 

A STORY AND A PLAY 

RUTH HILL 




ABTIetVeRITAnI 



BOSTON 

RICHARD G. BADGER 

THE GORHAM PRESS 



Copyright, 1920, by Richard G. Badger 



All Rights Reserved 

.1 



MADE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 



The Gorham Press, Boston, U. S. A. 



JAN -6 (321 
©CLA605283 



CONTENTS 

The Story — page 

Growing Up 9 

A Young Soldier 10 

The Mexican War 12 

A Returned Hero 15 

The Civil War , 16 

The College President 21 

The Play— 

Act I 29 

Act II 37 

Act III 44 

Act IV 52 



THE STORY 



THE STORY OF ROBERT E. LEE 
Growing Up 

ONCE upon a time in beautiful Virginia 
there lived a little boy named Robert 
Edward Lee. It was in the days before 
the Civil War when, if we may believe 
all we hear, all the women were charming, and all 
the men were gentlemen. 

The boy's father was one of the most gallant 
of the gentlemen, for he was Light Horse Harry 
of Revolutionary War fame. He it was who 
said of Washington, "First in war, first in peace, 
and first in the hearts of his countrymen." Mr. 
Lee did not realize, then, how many people would 
apply this same remark to his own son. 

No doubt little Robert got in and out of as 
many scrapes as any other active little boy, but all 
the time he was hard at work learning to control 
his temper. I started to say he was learning to 
be a gentleman, but that was something he did not 
have to learn. A gentleman he was by nature, as 
the Lees of Virginia had been for generations. 
He did not have a very happy boyhood. His 

9 



10 ROBERT E. LEE 

father died when Robert was only eleven. His 
mother was an invalid and Robert was the one who 
did all the thoughtful little things that mean so 
much when one is sick. He would race home 
from school to take her out to ride. He would 
arrange all the pillows carefully and then tell her 
everything amusing he could think of, because he 
said unless she was cheerful the ride would do her 
no good. 

In her last illness he nursed her day and night. 
If Robert left the room, she kept her eyes on the 
door until he returned, but she never had long 
to wait. 

A Young Soldier 

When the time came for Robert to choose a pro- 
fession, he decided to be a soldier. He prepared 
himself for West Point. His teacher said that 
everything Robert started to do, he finished beau- 
tifully, even if it were only a plan drawn on his 
slate. 

When the time came, he received his appoint- 
ment to West Point through Andrew Jackson, who 
was greatly taken by the appearance of this 
straightforward young man. 

At West Point he graduated second In his class, 



THE STORY n 

and better than that, he never received a demerit 
all the time he was there. 

Right after graduation, he was made second 
lieutenant of Engineers and for some time he was 
busy looking after our coast defenses. 

Two years afterwards he married. Who do 
you suppose the bride was? The granddaughter 
of Washington's stepson. Robert and Mary 
Park Custis had played together as children. She 
was an heiress, while Lieutenant Lee was poor, 
but that did not lessen her pride in her husband. 

Some years later, after he had been made Cap- 
tain, the Mississippi River threatened to flood St. 
Louis. General Scott was asked for help and he 
sent Captain Lee. ''He is young," Scott wrote, 
"but if the work can be done, he can do it." 

The city government grew impatient because 
they thought the young engineer was not working 
fast enough. They withdrew the money they 
had voted to spend on the work, but this did not 
stop Captain Lee. All he said was "They can do 
as they like with their own, but I was sent here to 
do certain work, and I will do it." And he did it. 

Feeling In the city ran high, riots broke out, and 
It was said that cannons were placed ready to fire 
on the working force. But Lee kept calmly on to 
the end, and his work still stands today. Just as 



12 ROBERT E. LEE 

when he was a boy, anything he began, he finished 
beautifully. 

The Mexican War 

Later, when the Mexican War broke out, of 
course Captain Lee was sent to the border. You 
know what sort of country that is, how easy it is 
for Mexicans to hide in the mountains, and how 
hard it is for Americans to find them. 

So successful was Lee as a scout, however, that 
first he was made major, then lieutenant-colonel, 
and finally colonel, all in one year. General Scott 
declared years afterward that Lee was the very 
best soldier he had ever seen. 

Early in the war, he started out with a single 
Mexican guide whom he forced to serve at the 
point of a pistol. The Americans had received a 
report that the Mexicans had crossed the moun- 
tains and were near, ready to attack. Lee started 
out to find how near the Mexicans really were. 

Soon Lee and his frightened guide came upon 
tracks of mules and wagons in the road. This 
would have satisfied many scouts, but Lee de- 
termined to press on until he reached the pickets of 
the enemy. 

To his surprise he found no pickets, but he saw 



THE STORY 



13 



large camp-fires on a hillside not far away. By 
this time, his guide was ready to die of fright and 
begged Lee to return. But he was not quite satis- 
fied and rode forward. Soon he saw what carried 
out the report he had heard of the mountain side 
covered with the tents of the Mexicans, for there 
it gleamed white in the moonlight. Still riding on, 
he heard the loud talking and usual noises of a 
camp. But by this time he discovered that what 
others had taken for tents were, — well what do 
you suppose ? Why, nothing but sheep I 

Riding into the herders' camp, he learned that 
the Mexicans had not yet crossed the mountains, 
so he galloped back to his own camp with this im- 
portant news, — much to the relief of his guide. 

At another time he set out in darkness in the 
midst of a terrible tropic storm, across lava beds 
where Mexicans lurked. By carrying an import- 
ant message, he forced the Mexicans to retreat. 
Seven officers were sent on the same errand, but 
all except Lee returned without delivering the 
message. General Scott called it the bravest act 
of the whole war. 

A story which shows how Lee kept right on do- 
ing anything that he knew was right, is told of 
him when he was in Mexico. He had been order- 
ed to take some marines and make a battery to be 



14 ROBERT E. LEE 

manned by them afterwards. The sailors did not 
like to dig dirt and swore. Even their captain said 
his men were fighters, not moles. Lee simply 
showed his orders and made them keep on. When 
the firing began, the marines found their trenches 
very useful. The captain apologized to Lee say- 
ing, "I suppose after all, your work helped the 
boys a good deal. But the fact is, I never did like 
this land fighting — it ain't clean." 

After the fall of Mexico when the American 
officers were celebrating with a banquet in the 
palace, a health was proposed to the gallant young 
captain of engineers who had found a way for the 
army into the city. Then they noticed that Lee 
was not there, so one of them went in search of 
him. 

At last Lee was found in a faraway room, hard 
at work studying a map. When his friend asked 
him why he was not at the banquet, he pointed to 
his work. Then his friend told him that was just 
drudgery and that some one else could do it just 
as well. 

"No," said Lee, "No, I am only doing my 
duty." 



THE STORY 15 

A Returned Hero 

After the war with Mexico, Lee was one of the 
most popular war heroes. The Cubans tried to 
get him to lead them in a revolution against Spain. 
They offered him far more money then he could 
receive here, but he thought it dishonerable to ac- 
cept service in a foreign army when he held a 
United States commission. 

Three years later he was made superintendent 
of West Point. When he learned of his new 
position, he wrote just what we might expect of 
him. He said he was sorry to learn that the Sec- 
retary of War had decided on him, because he was 
afraid that he did not have skill and experience 
enough. 

As a matter of fact, he made a highly success- 
ful superintendent. One day when Lee was out 
riding with his son, they caught sight of three 
cadets who were far out of bounds, and were go- 
ing farther just as fast as they could. After a 
moment Lee said, ''Did you know those young 
men? But no, if you did, don't say so. Lwish 
boys would do what is right; it would be so much 
easier for all parties." 

After three years' service at West Point, Lee 
was made lieutenant-colonel in a new cavalry regi- 



i6 ROBERT E. LEE 

ment, intended to keep peace in the South Western 
territory which had been taken over from Mexico. 
His time was spent in fighting Indians. 

He happened to be in Washington at the time of 
the famous John Brown raid and he was sent to 
end it. Lee captured John Brown and then turned 
him over to the civil authorities. If it had not 
been for Lee, John Brown and his party would 
have been lynched. In talking with a friend after- 
wards, Lee said, *'I am glad we did not have to 
kill him, for I believe he is an honest, conscientious 
old man." 

The Civil War 

Day by day the feeling between the Northern 
and Southern states grew more bitter. Lee thought 
both sides were somewhat in the wrong but he 
kept right to his military duties. He said a soldier 
should not dabble in politics. 

At last the break came for Lee when Virginia 
decided to leave the union. Can*t you just imagine 
how the heart of Lee was torn? Here he was an 
officer in the United States army, and yet his be- 
loved Virginia was no longer to be a part of the 
nation. 

It is said that he was offered the position of 



THE STORY 17 

Commander-in-Chief of the United States forces 
if he would remain loyal to the union, but he could 
not turn his back upon Virginia. It was not as if 
he had felt bitterly against the North. It was not 
as if he felt strongly on the slave question. As a 
matter of fact he had freed his own slaves before. 
He wanted peace but since Virginia had decided to 
withdraw from the union and so needed him, he 
was not the man to fail her. 

We still remember how he refused to take com- 
mand in Cuba because he was a United States 
officer. Now he was obliged to resign his com- 
mission, but he said he hoped never to draw his 
sword again except in defence of his native state. 

As soon as it was known that Lee had retired 
from the United States army, the Governor offer- 
ed him the position of Commander-in-Chief of the 
forces of Virginia. 

The president of the Virginia convention gave 
him his commission saying, "Sir, we have by this 
unanimous vote expressed our convictions that you 
are at this day, among the living citizens of Vir- 
ginia, first in war, and we pray God that it may 
soon be said of you that you are first in peace, 
and when that time comes you will have gained 
the still prouder distinction of being first in the 
hearts of your countrymen." 



1 8 ROBERT E. LEE 

So, at the age of fifty-four, after thirty-two 
years of service in the United States army, Lee 
accepted the command which he felt to be his 
duty. 

For four years, the life of General Lee was a 
part of all men's history. You know how he 
took charge of raw recruits and in two months 
had sixty trained regiments ready for the service 
of his state. You know how hard it was for the 
South to get arms and ammunition. General Lee 
called upon all the citizens to give up all the guns 
they owned and saw that factories turned out as 
much ammunition as possible. 

I don't have to tell you of Lee's victories and de- 
feats, because you have read of them all. 

He had not only to fight with the Northern 
armies but he had also to battle against home sick- 
ness and measles (measles during the Civil War 
were no joke) in his own camp. 

Because the Southern States were fighting for 
their separate rights, the feeling of independence 
was particularly strong among the Southern of- 
ficers, and General Lee was sometimes seriously 
hindered by not having his orders carried out. 

Then came the last terrible years and months 
of the war when the South could not get food or 
clothes or shoes for her army. But the men in- 



THE STORY 19 

spired by Lee, continued to fight bravely on. They 
knew that their general was not feasting while 
they starved; for often one cold sweet potato 
would be all that General Lee would have for a 
meal. 

You can see how great an influence Lee had on 
the army, by the words that would pass from 
mouth to mouth before a battle. "Remember, 
General Lee is looking at us." 

Before one of the later battles of war, Lee was 
reviewing the troops. "These," said one of the 
officers, "Are the brave Virginians." 

Without saying a word, Lee removed his hat 
and rode the length of the line. One man said it 
was the most eloquent speech he had ever heard. 

A few minutes later as the men advanced to the 
charge one of the youngest called out, "Any man 
who would not fight after what General Lee said 
is a blame coward!" 

During battle, Lee seemed not to know the 
meaning of fear. His officers were forever telling 
him to keep out of danger. On one occasion he 
was so determined to fight in the front of the bat- 
tle, they had to refuse to advance until he went 
back. He said one time in his quiet vein of humor, 
"I wish some one would tell me what my place 
is on the battlefield, I seem never to be in it." 



20 ROBERT E. LEE 

Another time, he was seen to advance in the 
midst of firing, stoop, and pick something up. He 
was replacing a baby bird that had fallen out of 
its nest. 

Finally with all supplies cut off. General Lee 
saw all further fighting was useless, and he accept- 
ed arrangements for surrender. One of his of- 
ficers told him that history would blame him for 
surrendering. He replied that it did not matter 
if he knew it was right. 

So at the courthouse at Appomattox, Lee prov- 
ed himself as great as ever he had been in victory. 
It is easy enough to be great in the midst of vic- 
tory, but the truly great man is the one who re- 
mains great in spite of defeat. That is the test. 

General Grant was so much touched by the 
bravery and suffering of the Southern army that 
by hi^ orders no salutes of joy were fired. 

After signing the articles of surrender, Lee 
came out of the courthouse, looked up for a mo- 
ment at the Virginia hills for which he had fought 
so bravely, struck his hands together just once in 
agony, then mounted his confederate grey horse. 
Traveller, and rode calmly away. 

As he rode, he passed in view of his men, — as 
many as remained of them. News of the surrend- 
er had spread, so they were standing about in 



THE STORY 21 

dejected groups, when they caught sight of Lee. 
For a moment they forgot hunger and defeat and 
let out a mighty shout. Then they crowded 
around their former commander kissing his hands 
through their tears. 

''Men," he said, "we have fought through the 
war together. I have done my best for you. My 
heart is too full to say more." 

The College President 

The Lees' beautiful home, Arlington, across the 
river from Washington, had been used as head- 
quarters for the Union Army during the war. 
The country home they owned had been burned. 

The family was now living at Richmond, and 
General Lee went to join them there. You can 
imagine how glad they were to see each other 
after their long and terrible separation. 

But Lee was not allowed the peaceful home 
life for which he longed. Callers of every class 
crowded the house. 

One morning an Irishman who had fought on 
the Northern side came with a basket of pro- 
visions, and insisted upon seeing General Lcc. 
The servant could not put him off, so when the 
General appeared, Pat said to him, "Sure, sir, 



22 ROBERT E. LEE 

you're a great soldier, and it's I that knows it. 
I've been fighting against you all these years, and 
many a hard knock we've had. But, General, 
I honor you for it, and now they tell me you are 
poor and in want, and I've brought you this basket. 
Please take it from a soldier." 

Lee, of course, thanked him for it and told him 
that although he himself was not in need there 
were poor soldiers in the hospital who would be 
glad to be remembered by so generous a foe. 

With the death of President Lincoln, feeling in 
the North against the South took new life. Friends 
of Lee began to fear for his safety. 

One day a confederate soldier in a tattered 
uniform called upon the general saying he was 
speaking for four other fellows around the corner 
who were too ragged to come to the house. They 
offered their loved general a home in the moun- 
tains where they would guard him with their lives. 
Lee thanked them with tears in his eyes, but he 
said he could not live the life of an outlaw. He 
gave them some of his clothes and the soldier went 
back to his friends around the corner. 

Because of Mrs. Lee's poor health, it became 
necessary to leave Richmond. A friend offered 
them a country house near Cartersville in Cumber- 
land county. But people followed him even here. 



THE STORY 23 

An English nobleman offered him an estate 
abroad, but Lee would not leave Virginia now that 
she needed him more than ever. 

He received all sorts of offers of money, of 
land, of stock if he would allow business com- 
panies just to use his name. He was offered the 
presidency of an insurance company at a salary of 
$50,000 a year. He said he could not accept be- 
cause he knew nothing about the insurance busi- 
ness. "But General, you will not be expected to do 
any work; what we wish is the use of your name." 

"Don't you think," said General Lee, "that if 
my name is worth $50,000 a year, I ought to be 
very careful about taking care of it?" 

As one of his daughters said, "They are offer- 
ing my father everything but the only thing he will 
accept, — a chance to earn honest bread while en- 
gaged in some useful work." 

That speech made to a trustee of Washington 
College, brought Lee the offer of presidency of 
the college at a salary of $1,500 a year. At first 
Lee would not accept, because he was afraid that 
because he was still a prisoner on parole it might 
hurt the college to have him as its head. When 
the trustees told him what an honor it would be 
to the college to have his name connected with it, 
he finally accepted. 



24 ROBERT E. LEE 

On his old war horse, Traveller, he rode into 
Lexington alone to take up his college duties. At first 
he was met with a reverent silence, but soon his old 
soldiers broke out into their far-famed rebel yell. 

He took his oath as president on October 2, 
1865, and from then until his death, he devoted 
himself to the needs of the college. When he 
took charge there were only four professors and 
forty students. Don't you think most men who 
had been commanders-in-chief would have consid- 
ered it beneath their dignity to accept a position 
like that? 

He put every student on his honor. If he found 
that a student was getting no good from the col- 
lege, and that his influence might be bad on the 
others, the student was given the chance to leave 
instead of being expelled. Even as the college 
grew bigger, Lee knew every student personally, 
and even most of his marks. 

Lee was still pursued by offers of large salaries 
for the mere use of his name. To one of these he 
replied what he might have said to all, "I am 
grateful, but I have a self-imposed task which I 
must accomplish. I have led the young men of 
the South in battle. I have seen many of them die 
on the field; I shall devote my remaining energies 
to training young men to do their duty in life." 



THE STORY 25 

The trustees of Washington College wanted to 
give him as a home, the house erected for him as 
president. But he insisted that the building be 
kept by the college, he said he could not allow 
himself or his family to be a tax on the college. 

Because of poor health, Lee went South during 
his last winter. While he was gone, the trustees 
voted to give his family three thousand dollars a 
year. 

But this, like everything else, Lee refused. 
After Lee's Southern trip, it was hoped that he 
had regained his health, for he took up his college 
duties with such energy. 

On the morning of September 28, 1870, Gen- 
eral Lee was at his desk promptly as usual. In 
the afternoon he went to a business meeting of the 
Church officers. A steady rain was falling and the 
air was chilly. He presided at the meeting, sitting 
in the cold, damp church. When it was announced 
that the minister's salary had not been raised, Lee 
said he would pay what was lacking. 

Tea was waiting for him when he came home. 
He stood up as if to say grace, but he could not 
speak. When the doctor came, he told Lee he 
would soon be up again riding his favorite gray, 
but Lee only shook his head. Then later in his 
delirium, he showed his mind had wandered back 



26 ROBERT E. LEE 

to the battlefields, for once he said, "Strike the 
tents." And again speaking of one of his favorite 
officers who had been killed in the war, he said, 
"Tell Hill he must come up." 

Then at last Lee passed peacefully away from 
all battlefields. 

One time a young student was called to the 
president's office and was told gently that only 
patience and industry would prevent the failure 
that would otherwise certainly come to him. 

"But, General, you failed." 

"I hope that you may be more fortunate than 
I," was the quiet answer. 

But it was only the General's great modesty 
that made him consider himself a failure. What 
greater success could come to any man than to 
be always a Christian and always a gentleman? 



THE PLAY 



Act I 



SCENE I 



Scene : Alexandria, Fa., the garden in front of 
the Lees' home in the spring of 1819. 
Characters 

Robert Lee, aged 12 

Bud, his chum, aged 1 1 

Slats, a friend, aged 12 

Fat, another friend, aged 13 

(Enter ROBERT and BUD. BUD has a 
fishing rod. ROBERT is carrying his school 
hooks. SLATS follows tossing a hall in the air 
and catching it. FAT trails along last, as usual.) 

BUD — An say, Rob, get your pole and come 
on fishing. They say they're biting great. Have 
you asked your mother if you could go ? 

ROBERT— No, I haven't. 

SLATS — Well what do you think she is, a mind 
reader or something? 

FAT — No, probably he thinks if he waits long 
enough, somebody will ask her for him. 

29 



30 ROBERT E. LEE 

BUD — Don't judge everybody by yourself. 
Rob always does everything for himself and a lot 
of things for other people, and you know it, un- 
less your head's too fat. 

SLATS — Well, aren't you going to ask her 
Rob? 

ROBERT— No, I told you before, I couldn't 
go fishing. 

FAT — Well, how do you know you can't if you 
haven't even asked? Talk about my head being 
fat! 

BUD — You better be careful what you say to 
Rob. He could trim the life out of you, and you 
know it. 

ROBERT — I don't see what you boys are mak- 
ing all this fuss about. I just can't go fishing, that's 
all. You fellows go ahead and have a good time 
and tomorrow tell me all about that biggest fish 
that got away. 

BUD — Don't you want to go, Rob ? 

ROBERT — Of course I want to go, but I simp- 
ly can't this afternoon, that's all. 

BUD — Aw what's the secret, Rob? Aren't 
you and I pardners? 

ROBERT— There isn't any secret. Bud. I'm 
just going to take mother out to ride just as I al- 
ways do. 



THE PLAY 31 

SLATS— Well say, can't she stay home just for 
once? 

ROBERT— She does stay home all the time ex- 
cept when I take her out to ride. Now be care- 
ful, or she might hear you, and not want me to 
take her out. 

FAT— Say, if I'd thought of that sooner, I'd 
have talked at the top of my lungs. 

BUD— Be careful. Fat, or Rob'll have you 
yellmg at the top of your lungs. 

ROBERT— Good luck, boys. Run along and 
have a good time. I hope the fish bite as fast as 
snapping turtles. {He goes in the house.) 

^UD— Come on boys, no use trying to get Rob. 
When he makes up his mind, you might just as 
well not try to budge him. 

FAT — Aw, he's tied to his mother's apron 
strings. 

SLATS — You shut up before I make you I 

BUD {To i^^D— Say if you were half as 
manly as he is, no one would know you. 

FAT— I didn't mean anything. I like Rob just 
as well as the rest of you, but if I did all the things 
for my mother that he does for his, everyone'd 
call me a sissy. 

SLATS — Yes, and probably they'd be right. 
Come on. Fat, I mean *'Sissy,"" 



32 ROBERT E. LEE 

{BUD, SLATS and FAT go on their way. 
Negro servant leads out horse and carriage, 
ROBERT comes out of the house helping his 
mother down the stairs,) 

MRS. LEE — Don't strain yourself, Robert. 

ROBERT — You don't know how strong I am, 
Mother. Lean harder. I don't feel you at all. 

MRS. LEE — I don't know what I'd do without 
you Robert. You're both sons and daughters to 
me. 

{ROBERT helps her into the carriage.) 

ROBERT — There, are you quite comfortable, 
mother? {He arranges the cushions for her,) 

MRS. LEE — Yes thank you dear, but I do feel 
as if you ought to be out playing instead of tak- 
ing an old invalid like me out to ride. 

ROBERT — You aren't old and you must get 
well so fast that you won't be an invalid any 
longer, and both of us are going to have the best 
possible ride. {They drive away,) 

SCENE II 

The Harbor of St, Louis , hanks of the Missis- 
sippi River f 1839. 
Characters 

Captain Robert E. Lee 

First Lieutenant Smith 



THE PLAY 33 

Buck Brown, Town Bully 

Coyote Jim, his pal, a half-breed 

Soldiers at work 

Eight friends of Buck and Coyote Jim 

BUCK— I'm a-lookin' for the boss of these 
diggin's. 

LIEUTENANT-You want Captain Lee. 
{Pointing to him.) 

BUCK — Be you Captain Lee? 

LEE— That's my name. What can I do for 
you? 

BUCK — You can't do nothin' for me. Me and 
my friends can do anything we want for ourselves. 
We ain't helpless, see? 

LEE— That being the case, I wish you would 
proceed to your own affairs and allow me to at- 
tend to mine. 

BUCK— We'd be happy to have you, but this 
here you're doing now, don't happen to be none 
of your business. 

LEE — Evidently you are looking for trouble, 
but I am much too busy to oblige you. 

BUCK — Unless you leave off being busy right 
here and now, you're pretty hable to land in a 
heap o' trouble. 

LEE — I am not in the least interested in your 



34 ROBERT E. LEE 

threats and I will ask you to be kind enough to 
leave in order to save me the trouble of having 
you put out. 

BUCK — I reckon you don^t know who you're 
talking to. I'm Buck Brown and this is Coyote 
Jim, my running mate, and all the rest of these 
here is our pals and have come to back us up in 
anything we say. 

LEE — I am here to work not to argue. If you 
are not away from these works in three minutes, 
I will take means to see that you are. 

BUCK — Did you know the city gov'ment 
wasn't going to give you no money for your work? 

LEE — They can do as they like with their own, 
but I was sent here to do certain work, and I will 
do it. 

BUCK — (Pointing.) Do you see them can- 
nons up there? Unless you quit your dirty med- 
dlin', you'll have a chance to get acquainted with 
them. 

LEE — Do you think I'd be kept from doing my 
duty by a pack of bullies and cowards? Go back 
and hide behind your cannon. You'll need more 
than those to protect you if you meddle again. 

{BUCK and his friends skulk out.) 



THE PLAY 35- 

SCENE III 

Banquet Hall of the Palace^ City of Mexico^ 
after its conquest by the American forces. Officers 
sitting around the table. 
Characters 

General Scott 
General Wilcox 
General Twiggs 
General Magruder 
Thirty other officers 

WILCOX— Well, I must say I'm thankful It's 
all over and I do hope it Isn't long before we can 
get back to God's own country. Furthermore, 
I for one am thankful enough to be sitting here 
enjoying myself. 

SCOTT — I am Inclined to believe that If It had 
not been for one Captain Robert E. Lee, you and I 
would still be fighting those slippery Mexicans. 

PIERCE — Yes, I have the utmost confidence In 
the skill and judgment of Captain Lee. 

TWIGGS — His gallantry and good conduct 
deserve the highest praise. 

WILCOX — {Rising and raising his glass.) 
Gentlemen, I wish to propose a toast that I know 
you win all drink heartily. I propose the health 



36 ROBERT E. LEE 

of the Captain of Engineers who found a way 
for our army into the city. Gentlemen, (Raising 
his glass again) the health of Captain Robert 
E. Lee I 

{All the officers rise at once and lift their 
glasses. Then look around for LEE.) 

WILCOX— Why he isn't here. What can be 
the matter. 

MAGRUDER— I'll go and fetch him. 

SCOTT — You might know Lee would be first 
in the battle and last at a banquet. 

TWIGGS — I thought all of the crowd were 
here. 

SCOTT — They are all here but Lee. Evi- 
dently we were all too much interested in our 
food to notice anything else. Let's sing a song 
to welcome him. {They sing two stanzas of 
''Yankee Doodle:') 

TWIGGS — Here comes Magruder alone 
{MAGRUDER enters.) Why, what's the mat- 
ter? Couldn't you find him? 

MAGRUDER— Oh, I found him all right, but 
that was all the good it did me. 

SCOTT— Is he ill? 

MAGRUDER— If he is, I wish I had the same 
thing the matter with me. He's suffering from a 
sense of duty. 



THE PLAY 37 

TWIGGS — You don't have to worry then. 

WILCOX— Tell us all about it. 

MAGRUDER — You might as well sit down 
first because he isn't coming. ( They all sit down 
hut MAGRUDER.) You see I found him in a lit- 
tle room in a corner of the palace hard at work on 
a map. I asked him why he wasn't at the banquet 
and he said he was too busy. I told him it was 
just drudgery and to let some one else do it, but 
he looked up at me with that mild, calm gaze we 
all know so well and said, "No, I'm just doing my 
duty." 

Act II 

SCENE I 

General Scott's office, Washington, April i8, 
1861. 

Characters 

Colonel Lee 

General Scott 

SCOTT — The nation is in a terrible condition. 

LEE — As far as I can judge from the papers 
we are between a state of anarchy and civil war. 
May God avert from us bothl 



38 ROBERT E. LEE 

I see that four States have declared themselves 
out of the Union. Four more apparently will 
follow their example. Then if the border States 
are dragged into the gulf of revolution, one half 
of the country will be arrayed against the other. 

I must try to be patient and wait the end, for 
I can do nothing to hasten or retard it. 

SCOTT — I don't quite see why conditions have 
become so serious. 

LEE — The position of the two sections which 
they hold to each other has been brought about 
by the politicians of the country. The great masses 
of the people, if they understood the real question 
would avoid it. I believe that it is an unnecessary 
condition of affairs and might have been avoided, 
if forbearance and wisdom had been practised on 
both sides. 

SCOTT — Which side do you think is more to 
blame? 

LEE — The South, in my opinion, has been ag- 
grieved by the act of the North. I feel the ag- 
gression and am willing to take every proper step 
for redress. It is the principle I contend for, not 
individual or private interest. As an American 
citizen, I take great pride in my country, her pros- 
perity, and her institutions. But I can anticipate 
no greater calamity for this country than a dis- 



THE PLAY 39 

solution of the Union. It would be an accumula- 
tion of all the evils we complain of, and I am will- 
ing to sacrifice everything but honor for its preser- 
vation. I hope, therefore, that all constitutional 
means will be exhausted before there is a resort to 
force. Secession is nothing but revolution. Still 
a Union that can be maintained only by swords and 
bayonets, and in which strife and civil war are to 
take the place of brotherly love and kindness, has 
no charm for me. I shall mourn for my country 
and for the welfare and progress of mankind. 

SCOTT — But do you think slavery is just? 

LEE — If all the slaves of the South were 
mine, I would surrender them all without a strug- 
gle to avert this war. 

SCOTT — Then your sympathies are with the 
North? 

LEE — Though opposed to secession and war, I 
can take no part in an invasion of the Southern 
States. 

SCOTT — But surely you could not desert the 
United States army? 

LEE — I deeply regret being obliged to sep- 
arate myself from the service to which I have de- 
voted the best years of my life and all the ability 
I possessed. 

SCOTT — But I have been given to understand 



40 ROBERT E. LEE 

that In case you remained loyal, you would be 
given a very exalted command. 

LEE — Yes, Blair has just been talking to me 
In regard to the matter, but no consideration on 
earth could induce me to act a part however grati- 
fying to me, which could be construed Into disre- 
gard of, or faithlessness to the Commonwealth. 
If I am compelled to resign I cannot consult my 
own feelings in the matter. Virginia is my coun- 
try, her will I obey, however lamentable the fate 
to which it may subject me. If the Union is dis- 
solved and the Government disrupted, I shall re- 
turn to my native State and share the miseries of 
my people, and, save in her defence, will draw 
my sword no more. 

SCENE II 

Convention of Virginia^ Richmond^ April 23, 
1861. 

Characters 

Robert E. Lee 

Mr. Janney, President of the Convention 

Convention members and citizens 

JANNEY — In the name of the people of our 
native State, here represented, I bid you a cordial 



THE PLAY 4t 

and heartfelt welcome to this hall, in which we 
may almost hear the echoes of the voices of the 
statesmen, the soldiers, and the sages of bygone 
days who have borne your name and whose blood 
now flows in your veins. We met in the month of 
February last charged with the solemn duty of pro- 
tecting the rights, the honor, and the interests of 
the people of this commonwealth. We differed 
for a time as to the best means of accomplishing 
that object, but there never was at any moment a 
shade of difference among us as to the great object 
itself; and now, Virginia having taken her posi- 
tion, we stand animated by one impulse, governed 
by one desire and one determination, and that is, 
that she shall be defended, and that no spot on her 
soil shall be polluted by the foot of an invader. 

When the necessity of having a leader for our 
forces became apparent, all hearts and all eyes 
turned to the old county of Westmoreland. We 
knew how prolific she had been in other days of 
heroes and statesmen; we knew she had given 
birth to the Father of his country, to Richard 
Henry Lee, to Monroe, and last, though not least, 
to your own gallant father; and we knew well by 
your deeds that her productive power was not ex- 
hausted. Sir, we watched with the most profound 
and intense interest the triumphal march of the 



42 ROBERT E. LEE 

army led by General Scott, to which you were at- 
tached, from Vera Cruz to the capital of Mexico. 
We read of the conflicts and blood-stained fields, 
in all of which victory perched upon our banners. 
We knew of the unfading lustre which was shed 
upon the American arms by that campaign, and 
we know also what your modesty has always dis- 
claimed, that no small share of the glory of those 
achievements was due to your valor and your mili- 
tary genius. 

Sir, one of the proudest recollections of my life 
will be that I yesterday had the honor of submit- 
ting to this body the confirmation of the nomina- 
tion, made by the governor of this State, of you as 
commander-in-chief of the naval and military 
forces of this commonwealth. I rose to put the 
question and when I asked if this body would 
advise and consent to that appointment, there 
rushed from the hearts to the tongues of all the 
members an affirmative response, which told with 
an emphasis that could leave no doubt of the feel- 
ing whence it emanated. I put the negative of the 
question for formes sake, but there was an un- 
broken silence. 

Sir, we have by this unanimous vote expressed 
our convictions that you are at this day, among the 
living citizens of Virginia, first in war, and we 



THE PLAY 43 

pray God most fervently that you may so con- 
duct the operations committed to your charge that 
it may soon be said of you that you are first in 
peace, and when that time comes you will have 
gained the still prouder distinction of being first 
in the hearts of your countrymen. 

Yesterday your mother, Virginia, placed her 
sword in your hands upon the implied condition — 
which we knew you will keep to the letter and in 
the spirit — that you will draw it only in defence, 
and that you will fall with it in your hand rather 
than the object for which it was placed there shall 
fail. {Long applause from convention members 
and citizens.) 

LEE — Mr. President and Gentlemen of the 
Convention: Profoundly impressed with the 
solemnity of the occasion, for which I must say I 
was not prepared, I accept the position assigned 
me by your partiality. I would have much prefer- 
red it had your choice fallen upon an abler man. 
Trusting in Almighty God, an approving con- 
science, and the aid of my fellow-citizens, I devote 
myself to the service of my native State, in whose 
behalf alone will I ever again draw my sword. 



44 ROBERT E. LEE 

Act III 

SCENE I 

General Lee*s Tent. 
Characters 

General Lee 

Major W. H. Fitzhugh Lee, his son 

Hon. B. H. Hill 

General Starke 

An Orderly 

HILL — I have come to ask your advice. Do 
you think it would be wise to move the Southern 
capital farther South? 

LEE — That is a political question and you poli- 
ticians must answer it. I am only a soldier. 

HILL — That is the proudest name today. 

LEE — Yes, there never were such men in an 
army before. They will go anywhere and do 
anything if properly led. 

HILL — They could have no commander equal 
to General Lee. 

LEE — No, we made a great mistake Mr. Hill 
in the beginning of our struggle, and I fear in 
spite of all we can do, it will prove to be a fatal 
mistake. 



THE PLAY 45 

HILL— What mistake is that General? 

LEE— Why sir, in the beginning we appointed 
all our worst generals to command the armies, 
and all our best generals to edit the newspapers! 
As you know, I have planned some campaigns and 
quite a number of battles. I have given the work 
all the care and thought I could, and sometimes 
when my plans were completed, so far as I could 
see they seemed perfect. But when I have fought 
them through I have discovered defects, and oc- 
casionally wondered I did not see some of the 
defects in advance. When it was all over I found 
by reading a newspaper that these best editor- 
generals saw all the defects plainly from the start. 
Unfortunately, they did not communicate this 
knowledge to me until it was too late. 

I have no ambition but to serve the Confederacy 
and do all I can to win our independence. I am 
willing to serve in any capacity to which the au- 
thorities may assign me. I have done the best I 
could in the field, and have not succeeded as I 
should wish. I am willing to yield my place to the 
best generals, and will do my best for the cause 
in editing a newspaper. 

Even as poor a soldier as I am can generally 
discover mistakes after it is all over. But If I 
could only Induce these wise gentlemen, who seq 



46 ROBERT E. LEE 

them so clearly beforehand^ to communicate with 
me in advance, instead of waiting till the evil has 
come upon us — to let me know what they knew ail 
the time — it would be far better for my reputation, 
and, what is of more consequence, far better for 
the cause. 

HILL — Don't let those waspish editors annoy 
you. The South is behind you to a man. They 
know what General Lee cannot accomplish, no 
man can. 

{ORDERLY enters and salutes,) 

LEE— What is it? 

ORDERLY — General Starke wishes to see 
you. 

HILL — I must leave you General, I am grate- 
ful for the audience. 

LEE — I am always glad to talk to those in- 
terested in our common cause. Good day, Mr. 
Hill. 

HILL — Good day. General. (Exit.) 

LEE — Show General Starke in. 

{Enter GEN. STARKE. He salutes.) 

LEE — {Saluting.) Good morning. General, 
what can I do for you. 

STARKE — Nothing for me sir, but a good 
(leal for yourself. 



THE PLAY 47 

LEE — This Is no time to think of private bene- 
fits. 

STARKE — But General your reputation is suf- 
fering, the press Is denouncing you, your own 
State Is losing confidence In you, and the army 
needs a victory to add to Its enthusiasm. 

LEE — I cannot afford to sacrifice five or six 
hundred of my people to silence public clamor. 
When It Is time to strike, we will strike with a 
will. 

STARKE — ^I wish those Northerners were all 
dead. 

LEE — How can you say so ? 

Now I wish they were all at home attending to 
their own business, and leaving us to do the same. 
They also are my countrymen. General, there 
Is a good old book which says, *'Love your 
enemies." What a cruel thing Is war; to separate 
and destroy families and friends, and mar the 
purest joys and happiness God has granted us In 
this world; to fill our hearts with hatred Instead 
of love for our neighbors and to devastate the 
fair face of the beautiful world. 

STARKE — But think of our men who have 
laid down their lives so bravely. 

LEE — The loss of our gallant officers and men 
throughout the army causes me to weep tears of 



48 ROBERT E. LEE 

blood and to wish that I might never hear the 
sound of a gun again. 

STARKE — I am sorry to have worried you 
General, you are right, good day I 

{Salutes and exit. Enter MAJOR W, H, 
FITZHUGH LEE.) 

W. H.F.LEE— Father I 

LEE — Fitzhugh, how good it is to see you. 
You don't know how much I have missed you and 
your mother and your brothers and sisters. 

W. H. F. LEE — Won't it be wonderful when 
the war will be over and we can all be together 
again. 

LEE — God grant that it may be so I 

W. H. F. LEE — I can't stay any longer. Fath- 
er. I just came in to see you a moment before 
starting. I must be about my duty. 

LEE — I know that wherever you may be 
placed, you will do your duty. That is all the 
pleasure, all the comfort, all the glory we can en- 
joy in this world. 

Duty is the sublimest word in the language. 
There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory 
of duty done, the honor of integrity of principles. 

{They salute.) 



THE PLAY 49 

SCENE II 

Battlefield, the Southern Lines, Shells falling 
all around. 
Characters 

General Lee 
General Gordon 
General Grade 
General Stuart 
Northern Prisoners 
Soldiers 

{Enter squad of Soldiers with three Northern 
prisoners. One without a cap.) 

LEE — {Addressing prisoner without cap.) 
Where is your cap? Did the Rebels shoot it off? 

PRISONER— (»S«/M^f«^.) No, General, but 
one of them took it off. 

LEE — {Noticing a blue cap on one of the Con- 
federate soldiers.) Give him back his cap, even 
if your own is ragged. 

Men, you had better go farther to the rear, they 
are firing up here, and you are exposing your- 
selves. {Exeunt soldiers and prisoners.) 

{Enter General Grade who places himself di- 
rectly in front of General Lee in the direction of 
the firing. ) 



so ROBERT E. LEE 

LEE — Why General Grade, you will certainly 
be killed. 

GRACIE — It is better, General, that I should 
be killed than you. When you go to the rear, I 
will. 

(Enter General Gordon with company of men.) 

GORDON — General Lee, this is no place for 
you. Do go to the rear. These are Virginians 
and Georgians, sir — men who have never failed — 
and they will not fail now — Will you boys? Is 
it necessary for General Lee to lead this charge. 

SOLDIERS— No! no! General Lee to the 
rear. General Lee to the rear ! We will drive them 
back, if General Lee will only go to the rear. 

GORDON — Forward! Charge! and remem- 
ber your promise to General Lee. {Exeunt.) 

GEN. STUART — General, this is no place for 
you, do go away at once to a safe place. 

LEE — I wish I knew where my place is on the 
battlefield: wherever I go some one tells me it is 
not the place for me to be. 

LEE — {To soldiers.) Soldiers, I am more 
than satisfied with you. Your country will thank 
you for the heroic conduct you have displayed, — 
conduct worthy of men engaged in a cause so just 
and sacred, and deserving a nation's gratitude and 
praise. Now you must go farther back, you are 



THE PLAY 51 

exposing yourselves unnecessarily. {As they pass 
back a little, slowly and unwillingly , Lee goes 
farther forward, stoops down and picks up some- 
thing. ) 

FIRST SOLDIER— What is he doing? 

SECOND SOLDIER— Why he's picking up a 
little bird that had fallen from its nest. 

FIRST SOLDIER— ^'He who heeds the spar- 
row's fall." 

SECOND SOLDIER— I've heard of God, but 
here is General Lee ! 

SCENE III 

Outside Appomatox Courthouse during Lee's 
conference with Grant. 

Ragged Confederate soldiers on one side. 
Northern troops on the other. 

1ST CONFEDERATE — Their uniforms 
don't look much like ours, do they ? 

2ND CONFEDERATE— No, nor their Gen- 
eral doesn't look much like ours either. 

3RD CONFEDERATE— Didn't Marse Rob- 
ert look wonderful when he went through that 
door? Just naturally hating to go in, but going 
just the same, because he knew it was right. 



52 ROBERT E. LEE 

1ST CONFEDERATE— Of course he had to 
go in, we couldn't have stood another day with- 
out any rations. 

2ND CONFEDERATE— You mean you 
couldn't. I could have gone till I dropped with- 
out rations, if Marse Robert had said so. 

3RD CONFEDERATE— But he wouldn't let 
his men suffer any longer when he saw it was no 
use. Sh ! Here he comes now. 

(Soldiers stand at attention. The door slowly 
opens and LEE steps out. He looks up to the hills 
and sky. Silently clasps his hands together ^ then 
slowly and almost bent, walks down the steps. 
For a moment the men are silent. Then the sight 
of GEN. LEE is too much for them and they 
crowd around him cheering him.) 

LEE — (Lifting his hand for silence.) Men, 
we have fought through the war together. I have 
done my best for you. My heart is too full to say 
more. 

Act IV 

Scene — Lee^s Parlor at Richmond, 
Characters 

Gen. Lee 

Mrs. Jackson, a family friend 



THE PLAY 53 

Jack Sharpe, a former Confederate soldier 

Sam, an old negro servant 

G. W. Custis Lee, Gen. Lee's son 

Mr. Brown, representative of an Insurance 

Company- 
Judge Brockenborough, Trustee of Wash- 
ington College 

PAT — (Bursting through door with a huge 
basket of provisions, salutes.) Sure, sir, you're 
a great soldier and it's I that knows it. I've been 
fighting against you all these years, and many a 
hard knock we've had. But, General, I honor 
you for it, and now they tell me you are poor and 
in want, and I've brought you this basket. Please 
take it from a soldier. 

LEE — I thank you comrade, but I'm glad to 
tell you I am not in need. But there are plenty of 
poor fellows over at the hospital who would be 
only too glad to get food from so generous a foe. 

PAT — Just as you say, sir, but if ever you are in 
need just let Pat Murphy know, that's all. {Exit. ) 

{Enter MRS. JACKSON.) 

LEE — How do you do, Mrs. Jackson. 

MRS. JACKSON— Good morning General, 
and how are all the family? 



54 ROBERT E. LEE 

LEE — We are all as usual, the women of the 
family very fierce and the men very mild. 

MRS. JACKSON— I think every woman of the 
South is fierce now. I am bringing up all my sons 
to hate the Yankees. 

LEE — Madam, don't bring up your sons to de- 
test the United States Government. Recollect 
that we form one country now. Abandon all this 
local hatred and make your sons Americans. 

MRS. JACKSON— How can you talk that way 
after the way you have been treated. 

LEE — General Grant has acted with magna- 
nimity. 

MRS. JACKSON— If there ever was a saint 
on earth, you are one. Now I must go upstairs 
and tell your wife so, but I reckon she knows It. 
Good morning. {Exit MRS. JACKSON. Enter 
JACK SHARPE dressed in ragged clothes ^ he 
looks all around, then goes up to Lee and salutes.) 

SHARPE — General, I'm one of your soldiers, 
and I've come here as the representative of four 
of my comrades who are too ragged and dirty to 
venture to see you. We are all Virginians, Gen- 
eral, from Roanoke County, and they sent me 
here to see you on a little business. 

They've got our President in prison and now — 
they — ^talk — about — arresting — ^you. And, Gen- 



THE PLAY ^s 

eral, we can't stand — we'll never stand and sec 
that. 

Now, General, we five men have got about two 
hundred and fifty acres of land in Roanoke — very 
good land, too, it is, sir — and if you'll come up 
there and live, I've come to offer you our land, 
all of it and we five men will work as your field 
hands, and you'll have very little trouble in manag- 
ing it with us to help you. 

And, General, there are near about a hundred 
of us left in old Roanoke, and they could never 
take you there, for we could hide you in the hol- 
lows of the mountains, and the last man of us 
would die in your defense. 

LEE — I thank you and your friends, but my 
place is among the people of Virginia. If ever 
they needed me, it is now. (He goes to the door 
and calls SAM. Enter SAM.) 

LEE — Sam I want you to find all the clothes I 
can do without and give them to this soldier for 
his friends. 

SHARPE — I thank you general, and if ever 
you change your mind, just let Jack Sharpe hear 
from you. {Exit JACK and SAM. Enter Lee^s 
oldest son, G. W. CUSTIS LEE.) 

G. W. LEE — Well, Father, hard at work en- 
tertaining visitors as usual, I suppose. 



S6 ROBERT E. LEE 

LEE — Yes, I don't see how so many find the 
time to come here. 

G. W. C. LEE — Lots of the poor soldiers are 
out of work. 

LEE — I am sorry. Tell them they must all set 
to work, and if they cannot do what they prefer, 
do what they can. Virginia wants all their aid, 
all their support, and the presence of all her sons 
to sustain her now. 

G. W. C. LEE — I don't quite know what I'm 
going to do myself yet. 

LEE — You can work for Virginia, to build her 
up again. You can teach your children to love and 
cherish her. 

G. W. C. LEE — You are right. Father, all my 
life you have never failed to give me Inspiration. 
{Exit. Enter SAM and hands LEE a letter. He 
opens it and reads. ^ 

LEE — "Dear General: we have been fighting 
hard for four years, and now the Yankees have 
got us In LIbby Prison. The boys want you to 
get us out if you can, but, if you can't, just ride 
by the LIbby, and let us see you and give you a 
cheer. We will all feel better after it." 

SAM — Will you all go for to see 'em, Marse 
Robert? 

LEE — ^They would make too much fuss over 



THE PLAY 57 

the old rebel. Why should they care to see me? 
I am only a poor old Confederate. {Exit SAM, 
shaking his head. Enter MR. BROWN ^ a well- 
dressed business man.) 

BROWN — I have not the honor of your ac- 
quaintance, General, except as all the world knows 
you. My name is Brown and I represent a well 
known Insurance Company. 

LEE — I am afraid my life is hardly worth in- 
suring, Mr. Brown. 

BROWN — It is not about that I came to see 
you. I understand you are not as yet permanently 
employed and I have come, therefore, to offer you 
the presidency of our company at a yearly salary 
of $50,000. 

LEE — I thank you, sir, but I would be of no 
value to your company, as I know nothing what- 
ever in regard to insurance. 

BROWN — But, General, you will not be ex- 
pected to do any work, what we wish is the use 
of your name. 

LEE — My name is not for sale. I thank you, 
sir. Good morning. {Exit BROWN. Enter 
Judge Brockenborough.) 

GEN. LEE — Good morning. Judge, what a 
pleasure to see an old friend ! 

JUDGE — Good morning, General, I should 



58 ROBERT E. LEE 

not have dared to call on so busy a man if I did 
not have a special mission. I have come to offer 
you the presidency of Washington College, at a 
salary of $1,500 a year. I am sorry we can offer 
no more, but the war has left the college in a 
wretched condition. 

LEE — I am afraid because of my many enemies 
that my connection with the college would make 
its condition far more wretched. 

JUDGE — No, General, the whole South loves 
and respects you, and if you will only accept this 
position you will make us the happiest of all col- 
leges. 

LEE — I would have much preferred that your 
choice had fallen upon an abler man. But if you 
really want me, I will be only too glad to come. 
I have led the young men of the South in battle. 
I have seen many of them die on the field. I shall 
try to devote my remaining energies to training 
young men to do their duty in life. 



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